Description

1916 Doubled Die Nickel, AU55Strongly Defined Throughout

1916 5C Doubled Die Obverse AU55 PCGS. CAC. FS-101. In his
March 15, 2005 "Item of the Week" column for Numismatic
News, Paul M. Green discussed the 1916 Doubled Die Obverse
nickel (referred to in the column as the "1916/16" since the date
is the location of the most prominent doubling). Two paragraphs
encapsulate how the 1916 Doubled Die Obverse nickel, a Guide
Book variety which went undiscovered for more than 50 years,
was worn nearly into oblivion:

"With no one checking, the 1916 Buffalo nickel simply
began to circulate. What must be remembered is that it was a
1916/16 [noting the prime focal point of the doubling] and that is
critical, because as Buffalo nickels saw use in commerce, the very
first part of the design that disappeared was the date.

"The evidence of that is overwhelming, as by the 1950s, it was
possible to buy rolls of Buffalo nickels that had lost their dates.
The rapid disappearance of all or part of a date is absolutely
devastating when you are looking for a 1916/16, yet this is
precisely what happened, meaning that no matter what the potential
supply of 1916/16 nickels was, a large number were simply
lost."

The fortunate collector who first discovered this piece, which
circulated only briefly before being pulled out of the channels of
commerce, found a miniature treasure. Nickel-gray and olive-gold
surfaces show scant evidence of wear, and the strike is solid.
Though a few wispy parallel marks are present on the portrait,
these are not readily seen without magnification, and the coin
displays attractively to the unaided eye. The all-important date is
boldly doubled. For the variety, Population: 20 in 55, 10 finer
(11/13).Ex: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2009), lot 3638.(Registry values: N7079) (NGC ID# 2TSS, PCGS# 3931)